CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Revenue:
Sale of metals (Note 15)	$ 6,383
Costs and expenses:
Costs applicable to sale of metals (exclusive of depreciation shown below) (Note 15)	(7,927)
Exploration expense	(2,396)		(3,686)
El Quevar project expense	(1,415)		(8,737)
Velardena project expense	(3,382)
Administrative expense	(2,024)		(2,239)
Stock based compensation	(232)		(1,179)
Reclamation and accretion expense	(167)
Other operating income & (expenses), net	337		444
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	(1,846)		(389)
Total costs and expenses	(19,052)		(15,786)
Loss from operations	(12,669)		(15,786)
Other income and expenses:
Interest and other income	175		33
Royalty income	138		56
Interest expense	0
Gain (loss) on foreign currency	454		(146)
Total other income and expenses	767		(57)
Loss from operations before income taxes	(11,902)		(15,843)
Income taxes	1,771		(82)
Net loss	(10,131)		(15,925)
Comprehensive loss:
Unrealized loss on securities	(33)		(139)
Comprehensive loss	$ (10,164)		$ (16,064)
Net loss per common share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.29)		$ (1.08)
Net loss per common share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.29)		$ (1.08)
Weighted average common stock outstanding - basic (in shares)	35,474,023	[1]	14,777,817	[1]
Weighted average common stock outstanding - diluted (in shares)	35,474,023	[1]	14,777,817	[1]

[1] Potentially dilutive shares have not been included because to do so would be anti-dilutive.